Betty White gets a boa constrictor for her 91st birthday

Betty White is celebrating her 91st birthday today, and she's asking for her fans to give her a gift that means a lot to her. The longtime animal rights activist has written an open letter requesting that donations be made in her honor to the Morris Animal Foundation.

"Animals are near and dear to my heart, and I've devoted my life to trying to improve their lives," she writes in the letter, which was published on The Huffington Post. "Since a girl like me already has more than I could hope for, I'm asking fellow animal lovers for a special birthday gift this year. To help celebrate my 91st birthday on January 17, please help me raise $10,000 for Morris Animal Foundation."

To keep with the animal theme, the Lifeline Program -- a company that White is the spokesperson for -- adopted a boa constrictor named Jacob from the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens in White's honor. White is already familiar with the critter, as she filmed her "I'm Still Hot" video with him in 2011. The proceeds from that video went to the Los Angeles Zoo.

"Jacob the boa constrictor is good as gold and cuddles in my arms and around my neck," White says in a statement, via People.